Ladies hit nine to reach cup semi-final

Wycombe Wanderers Ladies progressed to the semi-final of the Chairman's Cup after demolishing Fleet Town 9-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Abigail Canvin hit four and Tara Woodward grabbed a hat-trick as Andy McIntosh's side bounced back in style from their narrow Jubilee Cup defeat to Bournemouth the week before.

Assistant boss Sam Hayward tweeted: "Great performance from the whole team today. A 9-2 win away at Fleet Town books our place in the semi-finals. Proud of every player out there this afternoon. Let's go and win this cup."

Wycombe will face Winchester City Flyers in the final four.

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ReportBy Alicia Povey

This Sunday’s fixture saw Wycombe Ladies travel to Fleet Town Ladies in the Chairman’s Cup competition. Following a hard fought and disappointing loss to a strong AFC Bournemouth team last week, the Blues were keen to get the win. With defender Katie Hudson out with a nasty injury following last week’s cup clash, boss Andy McIntosh took the decision to go with a back three, hoping to push for the early goal.

Blues kicked off, with the disadvantage of having to play the first half up the sloping pitch. This didn’t deter the ladies though, with some great opportunities coming in the first few minutes. With three minutes played, Woodward sprung on a chance, as a cross from the right side came in, and she was able to dink the ball around the keeper into the back of the net. A fantastic start for the team!

In the midfield, O’Connor and Messitt were dominating possession. Both were playing some excellent through balls to Jones on the right and Jenkins on the left, and although there were some good chances, Fleet were holding on at the back, with their keeper making some key saves to keep the score at 1-0.

Wycombe’s second goal came from Abi Canvin who was able to head the ball home from close range after some excellent play by Lotay, Messitt and Jones along the right side of the pitch, with the ball being whipped into the box and finished calmly by Canvin.

The second goal spurred on the Blues, and the whole team relaxed into the game. The back three were playing extremely well, with any Fleet advances snuffed out quickly. Woodward hit the back of the net again in the 39th minute, with some great team play resulting in a coolly executed shot, beating the Fleet keeper.

Wycombe went into the break 3-0 up, but coaches McIntosh and Sam Hayward pushed the team to keep up concentration, and go into the second half like they finished the first. That’s just what they did. Just three minutes into the second half, Jones bagged herself a well-deserved goal. She had been bombing up and down the right wing for the whole of the first half, and her dedication paid off, as she slid the ball past the keeper’s outstretched fingers.

Woodward and Canvin were still wreaking havoc in the Fleet goal area, with another goal each in the 50th and 58th minutes. Midfielder Messitt was then unfortunately unable to continue, after a 50/50 tackle left her in agony. Dean came onto the pitch to replace her, taking on the left-wing position. McIntosh make his final changes bringing on Innis, Robinson and Povey, while Newberry, Jones and Courtenay were rested.

There was no let-up in the final 20 minutes, with the fresh legged subs making an impact. In the 71st minute, a searching Woodward cross was pounced upon by Povey who was able to slot the ball into the left corner of the goal. Fleet were then lucky however to score a consolation. A run up the wing led to a shot which was initially saved by Batkin but then turned home by a second player waiting in the box.

However, Wycombe were able to increase the goal tally once again. With some neat play between Innis and Povey, Innis was able to drive into the box, and although her shot was saved by the keeper, Canvin was able to smash the rebound into the back of the net in the 80th minute. Unfortunately, Wycombe were again taken by surprise as Fleet were able to make it into the Blues half, and with some strong play from their captain, they were again able to claw a goal back.

Wycombe didn’t let that faze them though, and with some quick play through the middle from Jenkins and O’Connor led to a through ball falling to the feet of Canvin, who outpaced the final two Fleet defenders to then beat the keeper one on one to round off a four-goal tally.

This 9-2 win against Fleet Town Ladies has put them into the semi-finals of the Chairman’s Cup where they face Winchester City Flyers, date and venue TBC. In the meantime however, Wycombe Ladies turn their attention back to the league, as they face Woodley United Ladies away this Sunday. All support welcome for this tough game.